The Beatles

Yes, it’s true! The Fab Four (minus two, I guess) themselves have ironed out a deal with Harmonix, the Cambridge, MA-based company behind the first two Guitar Hero games and the Rock Band franchise, to develop a Rock Band-like game “based solely on the music and career of the [Beatles].”

“The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out.” -Paul McCartney

According to the head of Harmonix, the game isn’t going to be an add-on to Rock Band/Rock Band 2; rather it will be a full stand-alone game. I’m glad it will use the same peripherals as my current setup. My living room does not have room for a second set of plastic instruments.

But yeah! I’m pretty stoked for this news. It doesn’t say what songs will be involved. Naturally I’m hoping for it to include their entire catalog. Especially if they’re dedicating the whole game to them. I trust it won’t be the quick cash-in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith was. Some critics have faulted the Rock Band series for lacking in the “heavy hitters” necessary for a game like that. I think a lot of people will have to say that Harmonix knocked the ball out of the park on this one. This, to me, seems right up there with getting Zeppelin in one of these games; it’s a trump card. These are the legends of rock’n'roll.

So yeah, big news!

[Sources: USA Today article, NME article]